Healthy Cleaning Guide: Best and Worst Cleaning Products

Even some cleaning products billed as being "green" contain dangerous chemicals a new guide released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports. "Quite a few cleaning products that line store shelves are packed with toxic chemicals that can wreak havoc with your health, including many that harm the lungs," EWG senior scientist Rebecca Sutton said in statement. "The good news is, there are plenty of cleaning products that will get the job done without exposing you to hazardous substances."

EWG analyzed over 2000 household cleaning products and rated them for safety. They found that over 53% of the products tested contained chemicals that are harmful to the lungs and 22% can trigger asthma. Some common cleaners contain formaldehyde and chloroform, known human carcinogens. Drain and oven cleaners often use caustic chemicals that can burn the eyes and skin.

They also found many products don't adequately reveal their ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires labeling on food, cosmetics, and drugs but according to EWG, cleaning products can use general terms such as "solvent" or "surfactant." They estimate that only seven percent of cleaners fully disclose their contents.

EWG's Worst Products List

EWG created a "hall of shame" for their worst rated products. They based their low grades on a number of factors including toxicity, inadequate labeling, and "greenwashing"--which means false claims that products are environmentally friendly and do not pose health risks. Some of these cleaners contain chemicals that are banned abroad. Click on Hall of Shame for specific information on each product.

As a general rule, EWG recommends consumers avoid purchasing any product labeled "danger" or "harmful if swallowed." They also discourage the use of antibacterial cleaners since they may encourage the development of antibiotics resistant superbugs. For more information and the complete 2000-product guide, check out their website www.ewg.org.